VIRGINIA'S PROGRAM OF URBAN HIGHWAY PLANNING

This paper discusses how the urban highway planning program in Virginia has taken steps in evaluating highway needs for all of its towns and cities. Prior to this time, many urban projects were built without the benefit of a planned system of highway development based upon an evaluation of future use. The program as it now exists has a number of problems. However, it is by far the best analysis of urban highway problems ever developed in Virginia. The continuing transportation planning process required by the 1962 Federal Highway Act is now in operation. The comprehensive cooperative continuing urban transportation planning process is a major portion of the urban highway planning program and it has established the need to conduct studies for the remainder of the urban communities across the state. The continuing process is based on a practical approach to provide plan updating within the realm of funds available based upon the cooperative effort between the local and state governments.